El Paso's Sunny the sea lion dies at 26

The El Paso Zoo tweeted the following today: The El Paso Zoo is mourning the loss of our beloved Sunny, the sea lion.

Times reporter Adriana Chavez reported, "One of El Paso's most popular zoo animals, Sunny the sea lion, died
Sunday night following age-related medical issues that kept him
sidelined for two weeks.

"El Paso Zoo officials who made the announcement Monday afternoon said
Sunny, a 26-year-old California sea lion, died in a holding pool as he
was being closely monitored by zoo keepers.

"About two weeks ago, officials announced Sunny would not be making any
public presentations because he fell ill. He was placed in a "behind the
scenes pool" that gave the zoo's medical team easier access to care for him, officials said."

"Sunny was
born at the zoo on June 12, 1986, and quickly became one of the zoo's
most popular attractions. In his last days, zoo keepers gave him extra
attention, said zoo area supervisor Amanda Leverett."

"Fans of
Sunny are invited to drop off rememberances at the zoo's front gate or
at the sea lion exhibit. Photos may also be shared on the zoo's Facebook
page, www.facebook.com/elpasozoo."

The two sea lions brought back from the Gulf of California Sunday are reported adjusting to the sealpond at Washington Park Zoo. The larger of the two has been placed in the pond with the sea lion already at the zoo and Bryce Lammert, Parks Superintendent, says they're becoming fast friends.

Less than a week later on May 27th, "Jorge, baby sea lion at Washington Park zoo, has died.

"The animal, in good health until Friday, lost two ounces on that day and died Saturday. He hadbeen fed with a bottle."

On February 20, 1964 it was announced that Cindy the sea lion was added to the pool to keep Spicy compnay since Sugar had died seven months earlier.

By February 1971 it was Susie and neewly arrived Connie, "Lonely days are all over for Susie, the El Paso Zoological Garden's sea lion. Thanks to kind hearted El Pasoans, she now has a playmate, Connie, a new arrival at the zoo.

"Problems started for Susie when the Zoo's other sea lion died recently of Nephitis and old age.

"Deprived of her friend, Susie began refusing food and moping."

Sunny's dad , Sam, was a twenty-year resident of the El Paso Zoo before he died in 1997. Sunny was born at the zoo in 1986.